AB0691 RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME AMONG PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS: A COMMON NEUROLOGIC MANIFESTATION
Authors: K. Parperis, S. Philippou, C. Christophi, S. Psarelis
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2023)

<h3>Background</h3> Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a common neurologic condition, affecting 5 to 10 percent of adults, that can be seen in patients with autoimmune diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis; however, data in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are scarce. Sleep disturbances are common in the SLE population, but few studies, with a small number of patients, investigated RLS. A deeper understanding of the relationship between SLE and RLS will allow us to promptly diagnose and manage RLS. <h3>Objectives</h3> The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of RLS among patients with SLE, describe the clinical characteristics of RLS, examine its impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and evaluate its association with depression. <h3>Methods</h3> We recruited SLE patients who met the SLICC-2012 criteria from September 2020 to September 2022. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, and pain level based on a visual analogue scale (0-10) were recorded. RLS diagnosis was based on the international restless leg syndrome study group criteria, and depression was assessed by the patient health questionnaire (PHQ)-9, with scores ≥10 indicating major depressive disorder (MDD). Patient global assessment was scored from 0 to 10, with higher numbers indicating active disease. HRQOL was assessed by a disease-specific validated questionnaire, the LupusQoL; scores ranged between 0-100, with higher scores indicating better QoL. These variables were compared between SLE patients with RLS and without RLS using t-tests or Wilcoxon non-parametric tests for continuous variables, as appropriate, and the chi-square test of independence for categorical variables. A p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant and all tests performed were two-sided. <h3>Results</h3> Among the 144 SLE patients included in the study, 108 were women (87.1%), with a mean age of 49 ± 15 years (range 19 - 80) and a mean disease duration of 14 ± 12 years. Forty (32%) of them met the criteria for RLS and were more likely to experience a delay in diagnosis (mean 4.6 vs 2.2 years; p=0.019) and were less likely to work (65% vs 45%, p=0.040) compared to non-RLS patients. RLS patients were more likely to have coexisting MDD (45% vs 24%, p=0.019), higher level of pain (mean 3.9 vs 2.5, p=0.007) and disease activity based on patient global assessment (mean 4.2 vs 3.2, p=0.025). Further, all the domains of LupusQoL were significantly lower in the RLS patients group suggesting worse HRQoL (Table 1). <h3>Conclusion</h3> One of every three SLE patients had RLS, which negative impacted the patient's HRQoL. In addition, RLS was associated with depression, higher levels of pain, and worse perceived disease activity. Therefore, clinicians should be vigilant to recognize and manage RLS in SLE patients. <h3>References</h3> [1]Fava A, Petri M. Systemic lupus erythematosus: Diagnosis and clinical management. J Autoimmun. 2019 Jan;96:1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.jaut.2018.11.001. Epub 2018 Nov 16. PMID: 30448290; PMCID: PMC6310637. [2]Falup-Pecurariu C, Enache A, Duca L, Fotescu C, Falup-Pecurariu O, Monescu V, Diaconu Ş, Sirbu CA. Restless legs syndrome in systemic lupus erythematosus: A case-control study. Exp Ther Med. 2021 Aug;22(2):802. doi: 10.3892/etm.2021.10234. Epub 2021 May 26. PMID: 34093758; PMCID: PMC8170644. <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> NIL. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> None Declared.